his mind. Of late, the neglected bed in the Temple Court had

known him more scantily than ever; and often when he had

thrown himself upon it no longer than a few minutes, he had got

up again, and haunted that neighbourhood.

On a day in August, when Mr. Stryver (after notifying to his

jackal that “he had thought better of that marrying matter”) had

carried his delicacy into Devonshire, and when the sight and scent

of flowers in the City streets had some waifs of goodness in them

Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics

for the worst, of health for the sickliest, and of youth for the oldest,

Sydney’s feet still trod those stones. From being irresolute and

purposeless, his feet became animated by an intention, and, in the

working out of that intention, they took him to the Doctor’s door.

He was shown upstairs, and found Lucie at her work, alone.

She had never been quite at her ease with him, and received him

with some little embarrassment as he seated himself near her

table. But, looking up at his face in the interchange of the first few

common-places, she observed a change in it.

“I fear you are not well, Mr. Carton!”

“No. But the life I lead, Miss Manette, is not conducive to

health. What is to be expected of, or by, such profligates?”

“Is it notforgive me; I had begun the question on my lipsa

pity to live no better life?”

“God knows it is a shame!”

“Then why not change it?”

Looking gently at him again, she was surprised and saddened

to see that there were tears in his eyes. There were tears in his

voice too, as he answered:

“It is too late for that. I shall never be better than I am. I shall

sink lower and be worse.”

He leaned an elbow on her table, and covered his eyes with his

hand. The table trembled in the silence that followed.

She had never seen him softened, and was much distressed. He

knew her to be so, without looking at her, and said:

“Pray forgive me, Miss Manette. I break down before the

knowledge of what I want to say to you. Will you hear me?”

“If it will do you any good, Mr. Carton, if it would make you

happier, it would make me very glad!”

Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics

“God bless you for your sweet compassion!”

He unshaded his face after a little while and spoke steadily.

“Don’t be afraid to hear me. Don’t shrink from anything I say. I

am like one who died young. All my life might have been.”

“No, Mr. Carton. I am sure that the best part of it might still be;

I am sure that you might be much, much worthier of yourself.”

“Say of you, Miss Manette, and although I know better

although in the mystery of my own wretched heart I now betterI

shall never forget it!”

She was pale and trembling. He came to her relief with a fixed

despair of himself which made the inter view unlike any other that